THE   MEMORIAL 


OF 


WASHINGTON  ALLON  BARTLETT, 

LATE  A  LIEUTENANT  IN  THE  NAVY, 


SETTING    FORTH    THE    SERVICES    HE    HAS    PERFORMED    IN    THE    NAVY   AS   AN   EFFICIENT 
OFFICER,    AND    ASKING    TO    Bl.    RESTORED    TO    HIS    ORIGINAL    POSITION    ON 

THE  NAVY  J.TST. 


AN  APPENDIX 

OF  OFFICIAL  DOCUMENTS 


WASHINGTON: 

G.  S.  GIDEON,  PRINTER. 
1856. 


THE  MEMORIAL 


OF 


WASHINGTON  ALLON  BAETLETT, 

LATE  A  LIEUTENANT  IN  THE  NAVY, 


SETTING    FORTH    THE    SERVICES    HE    HAS   PERFORMED    IN   THE    NAVY  AS   AN   EFFICIENT 
OFFICER,    AND    ASKING    TO    BE    RESTORED    TO    HIS    ORIGINAL    POSITION    ON 

THE  NAVY   LIST. 


WITH 

AN  APPENDIX 

OF  OFFICIAL  DOCUMENTS, 


WASHINGTON: 

G.  S.  GIDEON,  PRINTER. 
1856. 


MEMORIAL. 


To  the  Hon.  THE  SENATE  AND  HOUSE  OF  REPRESENTATIVES 

Of  the  United  States  in  Congress  assembled: 

The  petition  of  Washington  Allon  Bartlett,  a  citizen  of  the  State  of 
Maine,  and  resident  in  (he  State  of  New  York,  late  a  lieutenant  in  the 
Navy  of  the  United  States,  respectfully  representing: 

That,  on  the  22d  of  January,  in  the  year  1833,  your  memorialist 
was  appointed  a  midshipman  in  the  Navy,  having  had  some  previous 
nautical  training  at  sea;  and  was  ordered,  in  April  of  that  year,  to 
commence  his  service  at  sea,  by  joining  the  Vincennes  sloop-of-war 
for  a  cruise  on  the  Pacific  Ocean,  which  cruise  was  extended  to  a 
period  of  four  years  and  twelve  days,  your  memorialist  returning  in  the 
frigate  Brandy  wine — Commodore  Wadsworth's  flag-ship — commanded 
by  Capt.  D.  Deacon,  on  the  12ih  May,  1837. 

That  from  that  period  till  July,  1839,  your  memorialist  was  various- 
ly employed  "afloat  and  ashore;"  and  in  preparing  for  examination  to 
the  grade  of  passed-midshipman,  which  examination  was  successfully 
passed  by  your  memorialist,  July  the  8th,  1839,  your  memorialist  ob- 
taining a  high  rank  in  his  class,  being  warranted  No.  7  in  a  class  of 
thirty-two;  and  that  then  your  memorialist  was  again  ordered  to  sea 
for  the  "survey  of  southern  harbors,"  and  at  the  instance  of  the 
Navy  Department  your  memorialist  was  continued  upon  surveying 
duty,  mostly  at  sea,  either  on  surveys  specially  ordered  by  acts  of  Con- 
gress, or  in  the  department  of  the  "Coast  Survey,"  until  November, 
A.  D.  1844,  when  your  memorialist  was  commissioned  a  lieutenant  in 
the  Navy,  and  ordered  to  the  sloop-of-war  "Portsmouth,"  Commander 
John  B.  Montgomery,  for  another  cruise  on  the  Pacific  Ocean,  which 
cruise  your  memorialist  successfully  performed,  participating  in  ail  the 
incidents  of  the  war  in  Mexico  in  which  the  Pacific  squadron  took 
part,  and  which  obtained  for  the  United  States  the  Territory  of  Call- 


fornia,  and  the  subjugation  of  the  western  coast  of  Mexico;  which 
cruise  of  three  years  and  six  months  was  ended  on  the  loth  day  of 
May,  A.  I).  1848,  or  the  close  of  the  war. 

Your  memorialist. further  represents,  that  in  November  of  the  same 
year  he  was  selected  to  command  the  U.  S.  schooner  "Ewing"  for  an 
expedition  into  the  Pacific;  and  again  your  memorialist  passed  Cape 
Horn,  and  reported  his  command  off  San  Francisco,  ready  to  com- 
mence the  survey  of  the  western  coast  of  the  United  States,  then  com- 
manding (August,  1849)  the  attention  of  the  whole  commercial  world; 
and  that  Lieutenant  Commanding  William  P.  McArtinir,  assistant  in 
the  Coast  Survey,  having  charge  of  the  hydrography  of  the  western 
coast,  (arriving  out  in  September,)  being  then  ready  to  proceed  with 
the  work,  your  memorialist  seconded  with  all  possible  zeal  the  urdent 
efforts  of  the  commandant  of  the  expedition,  so  that  before  the  close  of 
1850  (being  well  sustained  by  the  officers  engaged  on  the  work)  your 
memorialist  was  enabled  to  return  and  report  to  the  distinguished  chief 
of  the  Coast  Survey,  that  notwithstanding  all  the  difficult  ids,  almost 
insurmountable,  under  which  the  expedition  had  suffered  from  the  ex- 
cessive temptations  to  desert,  a  partial  mutiny  of  the  crew,  (anil  other 
causes  which  paralyzed  every  branch  of  the  public  service  in  that 
region,)  and  the  exploration  of  a  coast  but  little  known,  with  the  survey 
of  the  Columbia  river,  (up  10  that  period  known  only  to  mariners  by 
its  difficulties  and  disasters,  where  two  United  States  vessels  of  war  had 
been  totally  lost;)  and  (hat  a  good  practicable,  serviceable,  and  reliable 
chart  of  the  entire  coast  of  Oregon  and  California,  from  the  Columbia 
river  to  Monterey,  including  the  entrance  to  San  Francisco,  with  a  de- 
tailed survey  of  the  mouth  of  the  Columbia  from  sea  to  a  point  fifteen 
miles  within  the  bar,  had  been  made;  which,  on  being  presented  to  the 
superintendent,  A.  1).  Bache,  L.  L.  1).,  was  approved,  and  published 
to  the  world,  previous  to  the  end  of  the  year,  as  the  joint  production  of 
the  late  lamented  Lieut.  Com'g  Wm.  P.  McArthur  and  your  memo- 
rialist. 

And  your  memorialist  avers,  that  for  the  successful  accomplishment 
of  that  work,  so  laborious  and  dangerous  in  its  execution — which  so 
fully,  completely,  and  safely  opened  the  navigation  of  the  Columbia 
river,  producing  results  so  incalculable  in -value  to  that  heretofore 
sealed  territory,  and  our  general  commerce — obtained  for  your  memo- 
rialist, as  the  associate  of  McArthur,  (who  died  from  exposure  on  the 
work  before  he  could  see  the  published  results  of  our  labors,)  high 


commendations  from  the  superintendent  of  the  Coast  Survey,  Profes- 
sor A.  D.  Buclie,  L.  L.  D.,  from  the  Navy  Department,  from  the 
committees  of  Congress,  (which  passed  increased  appropriations  for  the 
continuance  of  the  survey  of  the  western  coast,)  from  the  citizens  of 
Oregon  and  California,  and  the  commercial  interests  of  the  country. 

Your  memorialist  avers,  that  he  only  retired  from  the  command  of 
the  work  now  tendered  to'hirn — consequent  upon  McArthur's  decease, 
because  your  memorialist  had  been  serving  on  the  Pacific  for  six  con- 
secutive years — in  all  ten  years  and  a  half  iri  that  sea — and  his  family 
now  needed  his  personal  attention. 

in  this  important  work,  strictly  professional  and  creditable  to  the 
Navy,  your  memorialist  had  at  all  times  used  his  utmost  zeal  and  abili- 
ties to  sustain  the  declining  health  of  the  chief  of  the  expedition,  and 
prosecute  the  work  to  a  successful  result;  that  result  is  before  the  world; 
its  value  has  been  everywhere  admitted.  And  your  memorialist  fur- 
ther says,  that  being  detached  from  the  Coast  Survey,  July,  1852,  your 
memorialist,  with  the  full  concurrence  of  the  honorable  the  Secretary 
of  the  Navy,  was  employed  by  the  Treasury  Department  to  proceed  to 
Europe  as  ^-'special  agent"  under  its  orders,  with  large  powers  to  con- 
tract for  and  superintend  the  construction  of  the  Fresncl  Lens  lights, 
ordered  by  Congress  to  be  illuminated  on  (he  western  coast  of  the 
United  Slates;  and  that  having  completed  that  duty,  and  closed  his 
disbursement  accounts  on  the  books  of  the  Treasury,  to  the  entire  satis- 
faction of  the  honorable  the  Secretary  of  the  Treasury,  in  February, 
1855,  your  memorialist  was  again  ordered  to  sea  as  a  lieutenant,  and 
served  cheerfully  and  faithfully  as  lieutenant,  and  as  1st  lieutenant,  and 
executive  officer  of  the  flag-ship  of  the  African  squadron,  up  to  the  28th 
clay  of  October  last,  when  your  memorialist  received  (being  then  on 
board  of  said  flag-ship  at  (he  Cape  de  Verde  islands,)  a  copy  of  the 
following  communication,  which  the  honorable  the  Secretary  had  ad- 
dressed to  the  wife  of  your  memorialist: 

"NAVY  DEPARTMENT,  Sept.  20th,  1855. 

"MADAM:  Your  letter  of  the  18th  instant  has  been  received.  The 
board  of  naval  officers,  recently  convened  in  Washington  in  accordance 
with  the  law,  merely  reported  the  names  and  ranks  of  officers  who,  in 
their  judgment,  came  within  the  provisions  of  the  recent  act  of  Con- 
gress, but  not  the  facts  or  the  grounds  upon  which  their  action  was 
based.  No  charges  were  preferred  against  any  officer.  You  will  per- 


ceive,  therefore,  that  I  am  unable  to  comply  with  your  request  to  know 
what  the  charges  were  against  Lieut.  Bartlett. 

"I  am,  very  respectfully, 

Your  obedient  servant, 

«J.  0.  DOBBIN. 

"Mrs.  WASHINGTON  BARTLETT,  New  York." 

Thus  ended  the  service  of  your  memorialist.  The  whole  period  of 
Bervice  of  your  memorialist  in  the  Navy  was  twenty-two  years  and  nine 
months,  of  which  thirteen  years  and  nine  months  have  been  passed  in 
actual  sea  service,  seven  years  on  "other  duty,"  arid  only  two  years 
"unemployed;"  but  this  time  rated  as  "unemployed"  was  not  passed 
in  idleness,  but  in  the  prosecution  of  the  study  of  the  Spanish  and 
French  languages,  the  political  history,  laws,  and  decisions  of  the  United 
States,  and  commercial,  admiralty,  and  international  law,  the  better  to 
prepare  your  memorialist  for  (he  intelligent  performance  of  those  duties 
which  subsequent  years  and  higher  rank  should  impose  upon  him. 

And  your  memorialist  further  says,  that  while  the  conquest  and 
pacification  of  California  was  in  progress,  your  memorialist  being  then 
a  lieutenant  of  the  "Portsmouth,"  and  having  assisted  in  the  taking 
possession  of  the  northern  department  of  California,  was  called  by 
Commander  Montgomery,  commandant  of  the  northern  department, 
by  the  election  of  the  people,  (at  the  first  election  held  under  our  flag 
in  the  Territory,)  and  by  the  approval  and  full  concurrence  of  Commo- 
dore the  Hon.  Robert  F.  Stockton,  governor  and  commander-in-chief 
of  the  Territory,  to  the  performance  of  functions  of  civil  office  and  ad- 
ministration, of  high 'trust  and  responsibility,  to  wit:  To  the  office  of 
the  chief  magistracy  of  the  town  and  district  of  San  Francisco,  (Sep- 
tember, 1846,)  and  judge  of  first  instance;  and  by  appointment  to  the 
office  of  "  collector"  and  superintendent  of  the  port,  and  judge  in  ad- 
miralty in  all  maritime  cases  occurring  in  the  northern  department. 
And  your  memorialist  confidently  avers,  that  lie  acquitted  himself  in 
these  various  offices  to  the  entire  satisfaction  of  our  Government  and 
the  community,  whether  native  or  foreign,  who  Hocked  to  that  port, 
and  ever  received, and  continues  to  receive,  high  praise  for  this  service 
from  the  various  chiefs  who  commanded  the  department,  and  the  gov- 
ernor general,  who  were  best  informed  of  the  severity  and  value  of  the 
labors  of  your  memorialist;  and  your  memorialist  only  surrendered  the 
charge  of  these  varied  duties  when  the  administration  of  the  govern- 


ment  of  the  Territory  fell  into  the  hands  of  the  late  General  Kearny, 
and  the  naval  forces  proceeded  to  the  occupation  of  Lower  California, 
Sonora,  and  the  coast  of  Mexico  proper. 

And  your  memorialist  also  avers,  that  it  was  in  grateful  remembrance 
of  these  well-performed  services,  in  the  early  history  of  our  occupation 
of  that  city  and  Territory,  since  so  famous  as  the  great  commercial  won- 
der of  our  country,  and  the  salutary  and  intelligent  basis  upon  which 
the  various  archives  were  established,  that  in  1850  your  memorialist 
was  invited  by  the  "bar"  of  San  Francisco,  to  present  himself  for  ex- 
amination as  a  counsellor  of  the  supreme  court  of  the  State,  and  was 
duly  qualified  and  commissioned  as  such;  and  your  memorialist  avers 
that  this  mark  of  consideration,  esteem,  and  reward  for  civil  service — 
yet  strictly  a  necessity  of  naval  conquest — was  a  compliment  paid  to 
his  naval  commission. 

And  your  memorialist  declares,  that  during  his  whole  period  of  service 
he  has  done  his  whole  duty,  and  ever  been  "efficient"  both  ' -ashore 
and  afloat;"  and  that,  at  no  period  of  that  service  has  any  charge  or 
complaint  ever  been  brought  against  him  by  any  commander,  captain, 
or  commander-in-chicf,  or  the  Navy  Department;  that  your  memorialist 
has  never  been  made  the  subject  of  a  naval  court-martial  or  court  of  in- 
quiry; ever  arrested,  suspended,  or  reprimanded  by  any  superior  officer, 
since  he  has  had  the  honor  to  hold  an  appointment  or  commission  in 
the  Navy. 

And  your  memorialist  knows,  that  he  has  ever  had,  and  still  has,  the 
respect,  confidence  and  esteem,  as  an  officer  and  gentleman,  of  every 
commander,  captain,  or  Commander-in-chief  under  whom  he  has  had 
the  honor  to  serve  in  any  capacity;  the  Secretaries  of  the  Navy;  the 
superintendent  of  the  Coast  Survey;  ex-Governor  General  Joseph  Lane, 
who  was  governor  of  Oregon  while  your  memorialist  served  on  the 
coast  of  that  Territory,  and  the  Hon.  ex-Senator  Stockton,  late  com- 
modore and  governor  of  California,  than  whom  the  army  or  navy  never 
had  more  gallant  and  accomplished  chieftains. 

And  your  memorialist  refers  to  the  annexed  documents,  (A,)  Appen- 
dix, to  show  in  what  manner  your  memorialist  was  held  and  esteemed 
as  an  efficient  officer,  by  all  his  superior  and  junior  officers,  and  the  petty 
officers  and  crew  of  the  present  flag-ship  of  the  African  squadron,  where 
your  memorialist  held  the  responsible  and  delicate  post  of  1st  lieutenant 
and  executive  officer  of  a  cruising  frigate,  down  to  the  28th  October 


8 

last,  and  where  your  memorialist  would  still  be  on  "sea  service,"  but 
for  the  action  of  the  late  "board." 

But  your  memorialist  has  to  state,  that  all  this  has  availed  him  noth- 
ing to  sustain  him  in  his  commission  as  an  "efficient"  officer  of  the 
Navy;  for  by  the  act  of  Congress  of  the  28th  February,  A.  D.  1S55, 
entitled  An  act  to  promote  the  efficiency  of  the  Navy,  a  board  of  officers 
was  created,  which  "board,"  acted  upon  by  some  influence  or  allega- 
tions unknown  to  your  memorialist  and  to  the  Navy  Department — (see 
the  letter  of  the  20lh  September,  before  quoted) — has  recommended 
to  the  President  of  the  United  States  that  the  name  of  your  memorial- 
ist should  be  "stricken  from  the  rolls,"  and  in  accordance  with  such 
recommendation  or  opinion,  unaccompanied  by  charges,  facts,  or  proofs 
of  any  kind  to  direct  the  judgment  of  the  Executive,  the  name  of  your 
memorialist  has  been  stricken  from  the  rolls;  and  the  information,  so 
astonishing  to  your  memorialist,  reached  him  when  in  the  full  perform- 
ance of  his  duties  on  the  coast  of  Africa.  Your  memorialist,  with  the 
"regrets,"  and  bearing  with  him  the  highest  commendations  of  his 
commanders,  brother  officers,  and  crew,  was  permitted  to  return  to  the 
United  States. 

Your  memorialist  will  not  detain  the  Congress  of  the  United  States 
with  any  argument  or  proof  of  the  baneful  effects  of  this  law  upon  the 
iustice  and  sympathies  of  the  country  for  its  Navy,  and  its  still  more 
baneful  results  upon  the  chivalry  and  esprit  du  corps  of  a  service  which 
has  never  had  its  escutcheon  tarnished  before  the  enemies  of  the  coun- 
try, but  has  now  received  a  staggering  blow  from  the  mistaken  zeal  of 
its  friends,  urged  on  by  a  few  within  its  own  bosom,  till  an  inquisitorial 
court  has  been  created,  and  acted  in  a  manner  which  shocks  every 
sentiment  of  justice  inherent  in  a  free  people. 

It  is  sufficient  for  your  memorialist  to  say,  that  he  believes,  (and  in 
this  opinion  is  sustained  by  the  best  legal  talent  of  the  country,)  that 
the  law  itself  is  clearly  within  the  description  of  "acts"  so  ably  de- 
scribed by  our  great  commentators,  Marshall,  Story,  and  Kent,  in  the 
great  text-books  of  the  law  as  ex  post  facto,  and  therefore  unconsti- 
tutional; but  if  not  unconstitutional,  and  therefore  justly  upon  the 
statute  as  a  measure  of  naval  reform  and  progress,  the  more  than 
extraordinary  manner  in  which  it  has  been  executed,  the  Department 
instructing  the  board  that  its  action  was  only  "advisory,"  and  the 
President,  that  the  finding  of  the  board  was  "mandatory,"  or  to  that 
effect;  hastily,  inconsiderately,  without  notice  to  parties,  without  any 


pretence  of  having  been  guided  by  rules  of  evidence  known  to  every 
schoolboy  in  the  land,  and  in  a  manner  so  utterly  repugnant  to  the 
great  principles  of  civil  liberty,  or  the  laws  of  courts-martial  which  guar- 
antee that  the  accused  shall  have  the  RIGHT  to  confront  his  accusers  and 
witnesses,  and  meet  them  face  to  face;  that  the  law  and  its  action  is 
obnoxious  to  the  great  majority  of  those  who  have  been  temporarily 
benefited  by  it;  that  without  any  of  these  rights  being  considered  as 
attaching  to  the  holder  of  an  honorable  commission,  your  memorialist 
has  been  assaulted  in  the  dark,  stricken  down  in  secret,  and  has  appealed 
in  vain  to  know  why  and  wherefore.  See  the  annexed  correspondence 
with  the  president  of  the  board. 

In  that  great  charter  of  our  liberties,  to  which  the  name  of  JOHN 
HANCOCK  and  JOSIAH  BARTLETT  are  attached,  who,  with  CHARLES 
CARROLL  of  CARROLTON,  and  their  immortal  associates,  "pledged 
their  lives,  their  fortunes,  and  their  sacred  honors  to  maintain,"  leaving 
it  as  an  imperishable  legacy  of  honor  and  renown  to  their  descendants, 
it  is  charged  that  one  of  the  high  crimes  which  England  had  committed 
against  her  loyal  colonies  was  the  transportation  of  colonial  citizens 
beyond  sea.  and  putting  them  under  trial,  where  they  had  no  counsel,  no 
documents,  no  witnesses,  to  sustain  them  in  defence.  This  law  and  its 
execution  has  been  less  merciful,  is  less  defensible,  than  those  tyrannical 
acts — for  the  country  furnished  citizens  with  honorable  commissions, 
and  sent  them  abroad  in  its  service  to  uphold  the  honor  of  the  country, 
and  cause  her  flag  to  be  respected  on  dangerous  seas  and  sickly  coasts; 
and,  as  a  reward  for  such  service,  well  performed,  and  proudly  stated 
to  the  world  as  the  gallant  conduct  of  American  officers,  "ROLANDO" 
and  "MAFFIT"  are  "furloughed;"  Maury  is  "retired;"  "Stevens," 
"Walbach,"  "Sterrett,"  "Shaw,"  and  scores  of  other  meritorious  and 
"efficient"  officers,  who  are  proving  their  efficiency  at  this  moment,  are 
retired,  furloughed,  or  "dropped." 

Therefore  your  memorialist  appeals  to  the  Congress  of  the  nation  to 
be  heard  in  his  defence,  and  his  commission  and  original  position  in 
the  navy — for  which  he  has  battled  the  enemies  of  his  country,  the 
storms  of  the  ocean,  and  the  pestilence  of  sickly  coasts,  (yet,  through 
the  mercy  of  God,  possessed  of  a  constitution  and  health  which  fits  him 
for  every  duty,  ashore  or  afloat) — shall  be  restored  to  him. 

And  your  petitioner,  as  in  duty  bound,  will  ever  pray. 

WASH'N  ALLON  BARTLETT. 
2 


10 


APPENDIX. 


Letter  from  Commander  F.  B.  Ellison,  U.  S.  Navy. 

HEMPSTEAD,  LONG  ISLAND,  Jarfy  Mth,  1856. 
DEAR  SIR:  In  reply  to  your  request  that  1  would  state  my  opin- 
ion of  your  efficiency  as  an  officer,  and  your  deportment  as  a  gentle- 
man, during  our  recent  association  on  board  the  "Jamestown,"  where 
you  served  under  my  command,  I  with  great  pleasure  say,  that  in 
every  particular,  as  a  zealous  and  capable  officer,  and  a  well-informed, 
intelligent  gentleman,  I  regarded  you  as  most  exemplary.  Commo- 
dore Grabbe  frequently  expressed  himself  to  me  in  very  warm  terms  of 
you  as  a  highly  accomplished  officer,  and  like  expressions  were  made 
from  all  your  messmates  in  the  ward-room,  showing  a  uniformity  of 
opinion  throughout  the  ship. 

Sincerely  trusting  that  the  error  which  seems  to  have  been  made  in 
your  case  may  speedily  be  rectified,  and  that  you  may  be  honorably 
restored  to  your  former  position  in  the  Navy, 
I  am,  very  truly, 

Your  obed't  servant  and  friend, 

FRAS.  B.  ELLISON, 

Commander  U.  S.  Navy. 
W.  A.  BARTLETT,  Esq., 

Washington,  D.  C. 

Testimonial  of  Commodore  Crabbe,  U.  S.  Navy. 

U.  S.  SHIP  JAMESTOWN, 

PORTO  GRANDE,  Oct.  23d,  1855. 

SIR:  I  have  received  your  letter  of  this  day's  date,  containing  a  copy 
of  a  letter  from  the  honorable  Secretary  of  the  Navy  to  Mrs.  Bartlett, 
[the  same  published  in  the  body  of  the  memorial,]  in  relation  to  your 
retirement  from  the  Navy  of  the  United  States. 

Although  I  have  not  received  anything  official  from  the  Department 
upon  the  subject,  yet  the  Hon.  Secretary's  letter  to  Mrs.  Bartlett,  and 
the  reasons  set  forth  by  yourself,  will  no  doubt  justify  rne  in  relieving 
you  from  further  duty  on  board  this  ship.  In  doing  so,  howeVer,  I 
cannot  avoid  saying  that  I  deeply  regret  the  loss  of  your  services.  Your 


11 

gentlemanly  and  officer-like  bearing,  whilst  under  my  command;  has 
uniformly  met  my -warmest  approbation. 

I  am,  with  great  respect,  your  obd't  serv't, 

THOMAS  CRABBE, 
Commander-in-chief  of  U.  S. 

Naval  Forces,  Coast  of  Africa. 
To  Lieut.  W.  A.  BARTLETT, 

U.  S.  Ship  "Jamestown." 


Testimonial  of  Lieut.  Comd'g  Jas.  F.  Armstrong. 

U.  S.  FLAG-SHIP  "JAMESTOWN," 
PORTO  GRANDE,  ST.  VINCENT,  Oct.  23d,  1855. 
DEAR  SIR:  In  forwarding  you  the  enclosed  letter  from  Commodore 
Crabbe,  relieving  you  from  further  duty  in  this  ship,  I  beg  leave  to 
assure  you  of  my  deepest  regret  for  the  cause  that  has  produced  it,  and 
for  the  interruption  of  an  intercourse  arid  association  always  confiden- 
tial, harmonious,  and  friendly. 

I  shall  ever  esteem  you  in  your  character  as  an  officer  and  gentleman, 
and  in  parting  from  you  tender  you  my  si  nee  rest  wishes  for  your  restora- 
tion to  the  service,  and  for  your  future  welfare. 

Very  respectfully,  your  obd't  serv't, 

JAS.  FRANCIS  ARMSTRONG, 

Lieut.  Commanding. 
Lieut.  WASH'N  A.  BARTLETT,   U.  S.  S.  Jamestown. 


Testimonial  of  all  the  Commissioned  Officers  of  the  United  States 
Flag-ship  Jamestown. 

PORTO  GRANDE,  ST.  VINCENT, 

October  2kth,  1855. 

DEAR  SIR:  We  entertain  too  high  an  appreciation  of  your  character 
as  a  gentleman  and  an  officer,  and  too  warm  a  regard  for  you  as  a 
messmate  and  friend,  to  allow  you  to  leave  us  without  saying  to  you, 
in  the  sincerity  of  our  hearts,  that  we  deeply  regret  that  you  are  about 
to  part  from  us,  and,  above  all,  the  cause  that  takes  you  away. 

In  the  difficult  and  responsible  relation  that  you  have  sustained  to 
us,  as  executive  officer  of  the  ship,  you  have  ever,  whilst  discharging 
your  duties  with  fidelity,  borne  yourself  towards  us  with  the  utmost 
frankness,  conciliation,  and  courtesy.  And,  in  the  more  intimate  and 
kindly  relation,  as  a  member  of  the  little  society  that  we  form  amongst 
ourselves,  and  which  can  subsist  in  harmony  only  by  mutual  cultiva- 
tion of  friendly  feelings  and  the  practice  of  friendly  offices,  you  have 
endeared  yourself  to  us  by  your  uniform  amiability  of  disposition,  and 
by  the  desire  that  you  have  ever  evinced  to  cherish  the  most  cordial 
intercourse  with  us  all. 


12 

We  therefore  beg  to  assure  you,  that  in  parting  from  us  you  are 
taking  leave  of  those  who  will  ever  remember  you  with  pleasure,  and 
who,  whatever  fortunes  may  betide  you,  will  always  continue  your 
well-wishers  and  friends. 

Ever,  very  truly,  yours, 

GEO.  CLYMER, 

Fleet  Surgeon,  ranking  with  Commander. 

T.  H.  PATTERSON,  Lieutenant. 

EDWARD  N.  BARNETT,  Lieutenant. 

T.  M.  TAYLOR,  Purser,  (rank  of  Commander.) 

JULIAN  MYERS,  Lieutenant. 

SAM'L  RICH'D  SWANN,  Ass*t  Surgeon. 

JOHN  L.  HEYLEN,  Commodore's  Secretary. 

JNO.  E.  HART,  Acting  Master  and  Lieut. 

JAS.  M.  BRADFORD,  Act'g  Lieut. 

CHAS.  W.  THOMAS,  Chaplain. 

LT.  WASHINGTON  A.  BARTLETT. 


Letter  from  the  Junior  Officers  of  the  Jamestown. 
UNITED  STATES  SHIP  JAMESTOWN, 

PORTO  GRANDE,  ST.  VINCENT,  Oct'r  21th,  1855. 
SIR:  You  are  about  to  return  to  your  home;  in  so  doing  the  members 
of  the  steerage  feel  it  their  duty  to  express  to  you  their  deep  regret, 
and  their  sincere  gratitude  for  the  extreme  kindness  with  which  you 
have  universally  treated  them,  during  the  time  they  have  had  the  plea- 
sure of  being  under  your  command.  You  may  be  assured  that,  after 
your  leaving  us,  you  will  ever  be  cherished  in  our  memory  with  feel- 
ings  of  the  highest  regard  and  esteem,  in  your  character  as  an  officer 
and  gentleman. 

Sir,  we  bid  you,  with  sorrow,  a  hearty  farewell;  with  many  wishes 
for  your  future  welfare  and  happiness, 

Believe  us,  very  respectfully,  your  obed't  servants, 

N/B.  CONCKLIN,  M.  Mate. 
C.  W.  LAWRENCE,  M.  Male. 
VAL  HALL  VOORHEES,  M.  Mate. 
O.  N.  HENCKEL,  M.  Mate. 
H.  B.JOHNSON,  C.  Clerk. 
LIEUT.  W.  A.  BARTLETT,  U.  8.  Navy. 

Letter  from  the  Warrant  Officers  of  the  U.  S.  Ship  Jamestown. 

PORTO  GRANDE,  ST.  VINCENT, 

October  26//*,  1855. 

SIR:  It  is  with  feelings  of  the  most  heartfelt  sorrow  that  we  address 
these  few  lines  to  you. 
You  are  about  to  return  to  your  home,  and  we,  as  officers,  who 


13 

have  taken  pleasure  in  being  under  your  command,  cannot  think  of 
your  leaving  us  without  expressing  our  thanks  for  the  gentlemanly 
manner  in  which  we  have  been  treated  by  you. 
Your  name  will  ever  live  fresh  in  our  memories. 
Hoping  that  you  may  succeed  in  all  your  undertakings,  we  remain, 
Yours,  truly, 

WILLIAM  COPE,  Gunner. 
JOHN  McKiNLEY,  Boatswain. 
JOSEPH  R.  SMITH,  Carpenter. 
LIEUT.  VV.  A.  BARTLETT,  U.  S.  Navy. 


Testimonial  from  the  Petty  Officers  and  Crew  of  the  "Jamestown." 

U.  S.  SHIP  JAMESTOWN, 
OFF  PORTO  GRANDE,  29th  Oct.,  1855. 

SIR:  In  the  discharge  of  my  duties  as  saiimaker  of  this  ship,  I  have 
learned  much  of  the  disposition  of  the  crew,  and  the  feeling  they  have 
toward  you,  particularly  during  the  time  you  have  served  as  executive 
officer;  and  beg  leave  to  state,  that  they,  being  aware  of  your  intended 
departure  for  the  States,  have  expressed  a  wish  to  me,  and  through  me, 
to  testify  their  regret  that  you  have  occasion  to  leave  them  prior  to  the 
end  of  the  cruise. 

Since  I  have  been  attached  to  the  Navy  I  have  seen  other  officers 
who  have  gained  the  esteem  of  their  ship's  company,  but  never  to  such 
a  degree  as  you  have  from  the  hardy  sons  of  Neptune  comprising  this 
ship's  crew.  Your  capabilities  as  a  lieutenant,  and  your  bearing  as  an 
officer  and  gentleman,  have  won  their  admiration,  and  they  say  they 
cannot  let  you  depart  without  this  token  of  their  gratitude  and  their 
esteem. 

Very  respectfully,  yours,  &c., 

WJVL  N.  MAUL,  Saiimaker. 
Approved — 

WM.  PLUMMER,  Captain  Forecastle. 

JAMES  YOUNG,  Captain  Fore-top. 

HENRY  P.  GRACE,  Captain  Main-top. 

CHARLES  STEWART,  Captain  Mizen-top. 

THOMAS  VV".  MCCREADY,   Captain  After-guard. 

THOMAS  KITCHEN,  Captain  Hold. 

DAVID  ESBECK,  Signal  Quartermaster. 

GEORGE  POTTER,  Boatswain' 's  Mate. 

WILLIAM  THOMAS,  Saiimaker 's  Mate. 

JOHN  H.  LOVELESS,  Carpenter's  Mate. 

DANIEL  HUSSEY,  Gunnels  Mate. 

JOHN  D.  GORMAN,  Master-at-arms. 

CHARLES  SWANSON,  Yeoman. 

JAMES  MCFARLAND,  Cooper. 


14 

P.  S. — They  all  wish  to  sign  and  approve,  but  as  it  would  occupy 
too  much  time,  and  too  large  a  space,  I  could  only  permit  one  from 
each  part  of  the  ship,  who  bears  testimony  as  to  the  sentiments  of  the 
gangs  to  which  they  are  attached. 

W.  N.  MAUL. 


U.  S.  SURVEYING  SCHOONER  "EwiNG," 

SAN  FRANCISCO,  Oct.  12tk,  1850. 

SIR:  You  will  proceed  to  Washington  by  the  first  opportunity,  car- 
rying with  you  the  results  of  our  labors  for  the  past  season. 

Immediately  on  your  arrival  at.  Washington  you  will  report  to  the 
Superintendent  of  the  U.  S.  Coast  Survey,  and  lay  before  him  our 
work  and  reports. 

You  will  also  inform  the  Superintendent,  in  detail,  the  peculiar 
situation  of  the  country,  and  the  wants  of  the  survey,  on  this  coast. 

It  only  remains  for  me  to  thank  you  for  the  zealous  assistance  you 
have  afforded  me  since  your  attachment  to  this  vessel,  and  to  wish  a 
happy  reunion  with  your  family  and  friends. 

1  am,  respectfully  and  truly,  yours, 

WM.  P.  McARTHUR, 
Lieut.  Comd  Jg  and  Assistant  U.  S.  Coast  Survey. 

W.  A.  BARTLETT,  Lieutenant. 

Reported  Willis  Station,  Nov.  26th,  1850. 

A.  D.  BACHE. 


Letter  from  the  Hon.  John  Y.  Mason,  ex- Secretary  of  the  Navy,  to 
Hon.  James  Guthrie,  Secretary  of  the  Treasury. 

PARIS,  September  2,  1854. 

DEAR  SIR:  Lieutenant  Bartiett,  of  the  United  States  Navy,  is  about 
leaving  Paris,  on  his  return  to  the  United  States.  It  gives  me  great 
pleasure  to  bear  my  testimony  to  the  care  and  vigilance  with  which 
this  gentleman  has  performed  his  responsible  duties  since  I  have  been 
here,  and  to  express  my  admiration  of  the  splendid  lights  which  have 
been  manufactured  under  his  supervision  for  the  coasts  of  the  United 
States. 

1  do  not  believe  that  there  are  in  the  world  superior  mechanical 
structures  for  the  safety  of  commerce  than  those  which  have  been  pre- 
pared here  under  the  superintendence  of  Mr.  Bartiett.  The  chief 
credit  is  unquestionably  due  to  the  faithful  and  skilful  manufacturers, 
but  no  small  share  is,  in  my  judgment,  due  to  Mr.  Bartiett,  who  has 
displayed  zeal,  industry  and  intelligence  in  the  performance  of  his 
duties.  I  hope  that  you  will  not  consider  me  obtrusive  in  thus  ex- 


pressing  my  admiration  of  the  Lens  lights  prepared  here  for  the  exposed 
and  dangerous  coasts  of  my  country. 

I  have  the  honor  to  be,  most  respectfully, 

J.  Y.  MASON. 
Hon.  JAMES  GUTHRIE, 

Secretary  of  the  Treasury,  Washington. 


H  STREET,  WASHINGTON,  D.  O., 

January  16,  1856. 

SIR:  I  acknowledge  the  receipt  of  your  letter. 

The  board  of  which  I  was  the  senior  officer,  and  of  the  action  of 
which  you  complain,  having  some  time  since  completed  the  duty 
assigned  it,  has  been,  as  I  suppose  you  know,  dissolved  by  the  author- 
ity by  which  it  was  appointed;  and  I  am  of  the  opinion  that  no  indi- 
vidual of  its  late  members  is  competent  to  speak  for  it  in  relation  to 
the  matters  which  came  before  it,  or  of  the  grounds  on  which  any  of 
its  decisions  were  made. 

No  inference,  either  favorable  or  unfavorable,  should  be  drawn  from 
my  conduct  towards  any  person  whose  name  may  have  been  embraced 
in  the  report  of  the  board,  as  to  my  individual  opinion  in  relation  to 
him,  or  as  to  my  vote  in  his  case;  it  has  always  been  my  endeavor  to 
keep  my  social  relations  free  from  influence  by  anything  of  an  un- 
pleasant nature  that  may  occur  in  the  discharge  of  my  official  duties. 
With  due  respect,  I  am,  &c.,  &c., 

W.  B.  SHUBRICK. 
WASHINGTON  A.  BARTLETT,  Esq. 


Testimonial  of  Commodore  E.  A.  F.  Lavallette  on  the  services  of 
Lt.  Bartlett  in  the  Pacific  Squadron. 

PHILADELPHIA,  January  23d,  1856. 

DEAR  SIR:  I  have  received  your  letter  of  the  22d  instant,  in  which 
you  state,  that  "while  absent  from  the  country,  serving  as  1st  lieutenant 
of  the  flag-ship  of  the  African  squadron,  it  has  pleased  the  late  'Navy 
Board'  to  present  my  name  to  the  President  to  be  stricken  from  the  rolls 
as  lieutenant  in  the  Navy. 

"I  have  had  the  honor  to  serve  under  your  command  as  a  midship- 
man, and  again  as  a  lieutenant,  commanding  the  armed  prize  brig 
Argo  in  the  Gulf  of  California,  and  in  the  attack  on  Guaymas,  and  iis 
occupation.  On  that  occasion  you  did  me  the  honor  to  assign  me  to 
the  most  advanced  post,  on  the  night  previous  to  the  attack,  out  of 
supporting  distance  of  the  guns  of  the  squadron,  and  out  of  sight,  being 
covered  by  the  island  which  separated  me  from  the  squadron. 

"How  did  i  bear  myself  on  that  occasion?  Did  I  meet  your  expecta- 
tions or  not? 


16 

"From  3rour  knowledge  of  me,  my  abilities  and  acquirements,  was  or 
was  I  not  an  efficient  officer  of  the  Pacific  squadron  during  the  Mexican 
war?" 

In  answer,  I  have  to  slate,  that  your  foregoing  statements  of  our 
operations  in  the  Gulf  of  Mexico  are  correct  in  every  particular.  Your 
conduct  on  that  occasion  not  only  met  my  approbation,  but  the  activity, 
energy,  and  skill  which  you  displayed  in  getting  your  gun  landed, 
merited — and  the  effect  which  it  produced,  by  your  management,  upon 
the  works  of  the  enemy  entitled  you  to — the  highest  praise. 

Your  abilities  and  acquirements  I  considered  quite  equal  to  any  of 
your  grade,  and  very  superior  to  very  many  of  them.    I  certainly  viewed 
you  as  an  efficient  officer  of  the  Pacific  squadron. 
I  am,  respectfully, 

Your  obe'dt  serv't, 

E.  A.  F.  LAYALLETTE. 
WASH'N  A.  BARTLETT,  Esq., 

Late  Lieut.  U.  S.  Navy,  Washington  City,  D.  C. 


